Category: new to you

I’ve Unlocked Brunch

On By Emily KeithIn brunch, fancypants, new to you, oystertopia, Portland, travel, unsolicited adviceLeave a comment

Back in time: Chicago, November 2011. The Publican. Sunday Brunch.

Bloody Mary / Side Cars / Coffee

This is a popular spot in Fulton Market where they ring a bell every time a patron buys the bartenders a six-pack. A ton of work went into designing the interior of this place and it shows. Feats of brute strength go into the food –

Pork Rinds / Mimosa
Ricotta Pumpkin Walnut Bread / Figs / Mint
Sirloin Steak / Fennel / Apple / Truffle / Knife
Duck Hash / Eggs

While enjoying this meal with my buddy, Sarah, a little restaurant back home in Portland placed the final touches on their own well designed space and banging food executions.

Enter The Woodsman Tavern – It’s safe to say these two restaurants are defined by similarities as well as differences, you can’t ring a bell and buy the bartender a six-pack (or can you?!) but there is a singularity of experience that allows these restaurants to bro down with one another from a sizable geographic distance.

Stumptown Cold Brew on the Gun

The Woodsman is the brain child of  Stumptown Coffee founder, Duane. I have no doubt he spent some time in The Publican envisioning his final product.

Bottle Aged Bloody Mary / No Side Car

These pictures are from 4 visits to The Woodsman because, unlike The Publican, I can walk there. It’s dangerous. I went to their very first brunch service and it’s only improved over time. However, the Bloody Mary once had sherry in the mix. It think this changed recently? Bring back the sherry.

Biscuit / Country Ham / Eggs / Kale

My brunch friends always order this dish and the ham is typically from Johnson Country, TN. After sampling a biscuit once or twice I can attest that The Woodsman does not serve a Yankee’s biscuit. Nice work.

I usually order this:

Fanny Bay / Fresh Horseradish / Champagne Mignonette

Or this,

Oven Pancake / Smoked Meyer Lemon Marmalade / House Ricotta / some kind of nut
Half Grapefruit / Burnt Honey

The tall drink in the background? That’s a Michelada with Sangrita, Lime Juice, Mezcal, Beer, and Spicy Salt. Be careful! Tread lightly! You have a whole day ahead of you!

Best Buds / Awwww

But really, truly, both are great places to be. I also have to mention how great the service at The Woodsman is – it’s really good, which is important for a place slinging oysters for $16 a half-dozen! Makes it worth it!

They also have fun:

Celebrating Tony Iommi's birthday. Sabbath on the Sabbath.

 

The Lotus Blossoms

On By Emily KeithIn new to you, Portland, unsolicited adviceLeave a comment

My favorite vegan breakfast parlor closed down. I walked up to the door, read the closed sign and cried. Aaron refuses to admit defeat and insisted we explore other vegan options that we would love as much. We tried brunch at The Blossoming Lotus and were not disappointed.

20110610-081353.jpg
pancakes with fresh fruit and nuts, housemade jam, soy butter, maple syrup, house-made apple sauce
20110610-081402.jpg
Lotus Benedict - spelt biscuits, maple peppered seitan, roasted butternut hollandaise, arugula, tomato, steamed kale

Real Talk: my olde vegan parlor (RIP) made The Best Spelt Biscuits. These didn’t quite measure up?  The seitan is RAD and the butternut hollandaise is tremendous. I think the spelt biscuits could have been baked longer? Y’all know I don’t speak ill of food unless I can do a better job myself so I’m trying my hand at spelt biscuits this weekend and will report on my research.

Real Talk Too: The service at The Blossoming Lotus is so heart warming. Kind, funny, not pushy. If you ever tire of surly morning service just visit this place to be elevated.